Nevada progressive groups outline several legislative priorities
Nevada progressive groups outline several legislative priorities
Some of Nevada's progressive organizers advocated for protections for health providers offering gender affirming care, pushed to revive failed eviction reforms, and called on lawmakers to address 'skyrocketing utilities bills' ahead of the first day of the 2025 Legislative Session.
Progressive groups including Battle Born Progress, the Nevada Housing Justice Alliance and Silver State Equality outlined several legislative priorities during a Monday morning press conference, according to Nevada Current.
While Republican lawmakers across the country, including President Donald Trump, have increased attacks on trans rights and targeted access to gender-affirming care, groups called on state officials to expand LGBTQ+ protections.
Jessica Munger, Project Manager of Silver State Equality, said LGBTQ+ groups are working with lawmakers to advocate for bills to protect and 'support all Nevadans freedoms, especially bodily autonomy and access to information.'
Gov. Joe Lombardo signed several trans protections, including preventing insurance companies from discriminating against trans people on the basis of gender identity, into law during the 2023 session.
However, it is unclear how he will respond to legislation strengthening LGBTQ+ protections this session.
Munger said they are working with Democratic state Sen. James Ohrenschall on a shield law for medical providers 'legally practicing in our state, including those providing medically necessary life-saving care to trans and gender diverse youth with parental involvement and consent.'
Other proposals Munger pointed to include a bill backed by Democratic state Sen. Melanie Scheible to enhance non-discrimination language for gender identity and expression in the Nevada Affordable Care Act exchange, and legislation they are working with Assemblywoman Brittney Miller on to prevent 'authoritarian book bans in our state'
State legislatures and local officials have increased efforts to restrict books that include information on the LGBTQ+ community.
'We believe that censoring the public's access to information is antithetical to a free and open society,' Munger said. 'It restricts free expression and it disenfranchises marginalized populations who already feel disconnected and unseen.'
None of the language for the bills has been released yet.
Nevada, like most states, has been contending with a housing shortage and skyrocketing rents, exacerbating a homelessness crisis.
Ben Iness, the coalition coordinator for the Nevada Housing Justice Alliance, wants lawmakers to reconsider failed bills around unregulated rental fees and overhauling the eviction process.
Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed a swath of legislation last session including bills that extend rent stabilization for seniors, reform the state's rapid eviction process, and placed modest regulations on rental application fees.
Democrats failed to pass a similar bill offering modest regulations on application fees or reform the eviction process in 2021 when they had control of both chambers and the governorship.
Despite previous failed attempts, Iness said housing organizers are working with lawmakers to bring back legislation to address the eviction process and bolster tenant protections.
Many Nevadans are forced to choose between paying for 'life-saving medications' and 'skyrocketing utility bills and navigating soaring rent,' said Mathilda Guerrero Miller, the government relations director of Native Voters Alliance NV.
With the climate crisis pushing summers to record-breaking heat, she warned more people would die without more accountability.
'Every summer, record-breaking heat puts lives on the line,' she said. 'Every winter, some families are forced to choose between heat and other necessities. That's unacceptable. No Nevadan should ever have to face a utility shut off during extreme weather.'
Utilities in Nevada can't shut off customer power once temperatures hit 105 degrees but the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that prolonged temperatures between 90 – 105 degrees are known to cause heat exhaustion.
Lawmakers announced recently they are working on legislation to prevent utility shut offs in the summer months and to reduce the heat island effect.
Guerrero Miller said it's not about party lines but about 'doing what is right.'
'To our lawmakers and to the governor, if you stand here today claiming to serve the people of Nevada, then prove it, pass these bills, stand with our communities,' Miller said.
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